Bike tips and advices?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike tips and advices?
Anyone here uses a gps tracker device for their bike? Also, Im looking for suggestions of any accessory for additional ride safety... Thanks everyone.
#2
Senior Member
GPS? On my cell phone. Of course I only use or reference my phone when I am safely stopped, off the bike and out of traffic. Any other approach is a unsafe distraction.
As when you're driving a vehicle, screens/displays, music, headphones, eating, etc. all create distractions that diminish your reaction time, your ability to deal with emergencies and changing conditions.
When riding, you should be totally and exclusively focused on the riding.
As when you're driving a vehicle, screens/displays, music, headphones, eating, etc. all create distractions that diminish your reaction time, your ability to deal with emergencies and changing conditions.
When riding, you should be totally and exclusively focused on the riding.
#3
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK
Posts: 433
Bikes: Gitane Course, Paris Sport, Peugeot AO8, Peugeot Bretagne, Peugeot Premiere 85, Peugeot Premiere 86, Peugeot ANC Halfords Team Replica, Peugeot Festina Team Replica, Motobecane Grand Sport, Motobecane Super 15, Raleigh Pro Race, Raleigh Stratos, BSA
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 427 Times
in
90 Posts
I use Strava Premium, which has a tracking facility included.
Gives my wife a little peace of mind, plus there's either - depending on the weather - a cold G&T or a hot cup of tea ready for me as soon as I arrive home.
Gives my wife a little peace of mind, plus there's either - depending on the weather - a cold G&T or a hot cup of tea ready for me as soon as I arrive home.
#4
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Probably the wrong forum, but the mods will sort that out.
I use a GPS but only because I wanted the navigation tools. I'd previously used a normal bike computer. However, the ability to just put it on any bike without mucking about with wheel settings is nice (it's accurate enough for my needs without the speed sensors, etc). It's really all about what you need and what you want (not necessarily the same thing).
As for safety, for greatest safety, I wear four wheels, steel armour and six air bags. The radio makes it a nice experience and ensures I'm not distracted by them two wheeled nutters.
I use a GPS but only because I wanted the navigation tools. I'd previously used a normal bike computer. However, the ability to just put it on any bike without mucking about with wheel settings is nice (it's accurate enough for my needs without the speed sensors, etc). It's really all about what you need and what you want (not necessarily the same thing).
As for safety, for greatest safety, I wear four wheels, steel armour and six air bags. The radio makes it a nice experience and ensures I'm not distracted by them two wheeled nutters.
#6
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
I use my phone with the Runtastic road cycling app and/or Strava. The Runtastic app will live feed my location to a map in near-real time so my wife can see where I am and know that I'm still alive and OK if I'm still moving.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,489
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times
in
1,834 Posts
Lots of free GPS apps if you ride with a smartphone. I find that with the screen turned off, my phone is good for about any length of ride.
I like all the data but the biggest plus is the map. If I explore new territory I can download the ride and look at where i went, find other ways to get there, find alternate routes around bad parts ...
A few Sundays ago I went on a group ride over mostly totally familiar terrain, with a few odd departures which turned out to be much better roads. Now I can redraw some old familiar routes and fill in some blanks.
If I were just using a computer for speed and distance, I would have to guess at the routes. Now i can lay them out in overhead view and elevation simultaneously ... beats getting surprised by those big hills halfway through a ride.
I like all the data but the biggest plus is the map. If I explore new territory I can download the ride and look at where i went, find other ways to get there, find alternate routes around bad parts ...
A few Sundays ago I went on a group ride over mostly totally familiar terrain, with a few odd departures which turned out to be much better roads. Now I can redraw some old familiar routes and fill in some blanks.
If I were just using a computer for speed and distance, I would have to guess at the routes. Now i can lay them out in overhead view and elevation simultaneously ... beats getting surprised by those big hills halfway through a ride.
#9
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I usually use a lot of accessories for additional protection and comfy ride as well. Spoke led which is pretty cheaper that adds visibility to your bike, bras bells, and the basics, gloves,helmet, knee pads and more.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
I let ppl know when & where I am & headed to, when I turnaround, & when I'm back home or back at my car
#13
Senior Member
Quadlock + smartphone
I only use it when I am in a part of town I don't know and need directions to get to my destination
I only use it when I am in a part of town I don't know and need directions to get to my destination
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I forgot to include the reason why I asked for the tips, it's because I'm planning to do bikepacking alone. Basically, if I am just headed into the town then I'll probably just tell my fam bout it.
#16
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
my first time to hear about this app. will definitely try them tomorrow
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Anyone here uses a gps tracker device for their bike? Also, Im looking for suggestions of any accessory for additional ride safety... Thanks everyone.
I forgot to include the reason why I asked for the tips, it's because I'm planning to do bikepacking alone. Basically, if I am just headed into the town then I'll probably just tell my fam bout it.
.. .As when you're driving a vehicle, screens/displays, music, headphones, eating, etc. all create distractions that diminish your reaction time, your ability to deal with emergencies and changing conditions.
When riding, you should be totally and exclusively focused on the riding.
When riding, you should be totally and exclusively focused on the riding.
Otherwise, the only accessories (gadgets) I use for safety are lights and a rearview mirror.
#20
Senior Member
I just use the Runkeeper app on my phone and use the cycle setting to track my progress. As for if my wife wants to track my location, we have the Life360 app on all our phones so she can just open up that app and see where I am. It runs in the background so I don't really have to open it or do anything once you set it up. Then I just put my phone in low battery mode and the drain on my battery is fairly limited while I'm out riding.
#21
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your tips and advices. Also, thanks for opening up your comment and opinions, good or bad, appreciated it all
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
One caveat - most of these tracking apps require cell coverage and/or data coverage.
Where I usually ride this is not an issue. BUT the tracking "dot" at the server will just sit there while you are out of coverage until you "pop" back into coverage some minutes/hours later.
You will want to discuss this "feature" BEFORE it happens, not after.
-mr. bill
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,992
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2495 Post(s)
Liked 738 Times
in
522 Posts
I don't know, it doesn't seem like all the crumple zones, multiple airbags, anti-lock braking, traction control, etc. and etc., it does not appear that all this automotive innovation has any positive effect on the number of automobile driver death and dismemberment statistics. They continue to rise year over year and last year spiked out of all proportion to the number of new cars purchased the previous year. You want safety? Fly. Next safest is bus or train. Nothing else comes close.
#25
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,973
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,536 Times
in
1,045 Posts
What special "understanding" does your crystal ball tell you that really means?